Dawn Approach and Encke set Godolphin up for a fabulous season's finale at the Melbourne Cup

In all the analysis of Camelot’s defeat in the Ladbrokes St Leger, it was
almost overlooked that Encke’s triumph in the Classic capped one of the most
successful months on record for Godolphin, Sheikh Mohammed’s global stable.

Vision in Royal Blue: Dawn Approach cruises to victory at the Curragh on SaturdayPhoto: PA

Not only did Encke give Godolphin a remarkable sixth win in the world’s oldest Classic, a couple of hours later Dawn Approach claimed arguably the most noteworthy win of the weekend for the Royal Blues in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien Stakes at the Curragh.

Dawn Approach, unbeaten in five starts, is a short single-figure quote for next year’s Qipco 2,000 Guineas, and there is now every likelihood that the colt will stay with his current trainer Jim Bolger to be prepared for next year’s first Classic rather than transferring to one of Godolphin’s two Newmarket-based trainers.

Bolger trained the colt’s sire New Approach to win the Derby and Champion Stakes and it is felt that it would be foolish to contemplate a change of scenery, given Dawn Approach’s high valuation as a potential sire.

Dawn Approach had not been seen since winning the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, but what was observed on his return to the racecourse indicated he remains in great fettle and ready for a crack at the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket next month.

Meanwhile, Encke, who was named after a comet, looks just the type that Godolphin need to compete in Group One middle-distance races next year.

The colt, the second foal of Irish Oaks winner Shawanda, is progressive, and races such as the Coronation Cup, King George and Arc are well within his range.

The weekend’s successes took Godolphin’s prize-money haul for 2012 over the £15million mark.

Significantly, the stable hold a decisive lead over Khalid Abdulla on the British owners’ table, though Frankel is expected to give the Saudi prince more than a sporting chance of turning the tables on Champions’ Day at Ascot on Oct 20.

This year, Godolphin have been leading owners at four major meetings.

Starting with the Dubai World Cup fixture at Meydan, the Royal Blues have gone on to take the honours at Royal Ascot, Deauville and Saratoga, and, according to Simon Crisford, their racing manager, there are aspirations to improve further.

“We have a strong squad in training for Australia. The Melbourne Cup remains one of the key international races on our wish list. We have had placed horses four times, and we are determined to pull it off,” Crisford said.

Willing Foe, the Ebor winner who finished third in Sunday’s Prix Gladiateur at Longchamp, is in the Melbourne Cup team, along with Ascot Gold Cup winner Colour Vision, Lost In The Moment and long-time stalwart Cavalryman. Weights for the race are published on Tuesday.

Godolphin will rely on 25-1 chance Masterstroke in the Arc at Longchamp next month, and then the stable will gear up for the Breeders’ Cup in November.

“We have done well in America this year, and we look forward to having a big squad at Santa Anita,” Crisford said.

Encke may have been just the start of a fabulous finale to a memorable season for Godolphin.